Contrary to General Manager Brian Cashman’s recent assertion that Yankees‘ infielder Josh Donaldson deserved additional “runway” to regain his form, the coaching staff has chosen a different course of action.
They believe the team would be better served with Donaldson benched.
Donaldson was left out of the lineup for the third consecutive game on a recent Sunday afternoon. This move strongly suggests that the $25 million infielder has been removed from the starting lineup and will be replaced by Isiah Kiner-Falefa and DJ LeMahieu.
Donaldson, 37, currently has a batting average of .125 with a .197 OBP, inclusive of six homers and eight RBIs in 21 games this season. His performance, as shown by a 59 wRC+ and a -0.1 WAR, reinforces the notion that Cashman derived negative net value from the high-profile trade with the Minnesota Twins.
While Donaldson’s defensive contributions have been satisfactory over the past year, his offensive impact has left much to be desired. Last season, he recorded a .222 batting average with a .308 OBP, including 15 homers and 62 RBIs over 132 games.
Sadly, with age catching up and a recent recovery from a hamstring injury, his peak performance days appear to be behind him. It seems more beneficial for the team to utilize him as a reserve player rather than a daily starter.
In the interim, fans can anticipate Kiner-Falefa receiving more playing time at third base. His current performance includes a .239 batting average with a .275 OBP this season. Additionally, DJ LeMahieu will receive more opportunities.
LeMahieu, aged 34, is hitting at .228 with a .286 OBP, boasting seven homers with 23 RBIs and an 84 wRC+. This season reflects one of the worst of LeMahieu’s professional career, suggesting he may be over-analyzing at the plate rather than relying on his instincts.
The Yankees are slated to face the Texas Rangers in a three-game series finale on Sunday afternoon with Gerrit Cole on the mound. LeMahieu will start at third base following a day off on Saturday. However, he has been moved to the No. 6 spot in the batting order. This significant shift undoubtedly signifies Manager Aaron Boone’s dwindling confidence in his prime utility player.
This post was published on 2023-06-25 11:18